Subaru Ascent Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Not unusually. 107 of the 1,043 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019–2025 Subaru Ascent (10.3%) name the engine, below the 19.4% median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2019 and 2020.
Engine complaints
107
Filed with NHTSA, 2019–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
10.3%
of 1,043 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Subaru Ascent engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019WORST | 48 | 10.8% | 2 | 19V856000 | 87 |
| 2020WORST | 30 | 9.2% | 1 | — | 76 |
| 2021 | 13 | 12.3% | 1 | — | 69 |
| 2022 | 9 | 16.1% | 1 | — | 52 |
| 2023 | 3 | 6.4% | 1 | — | 49 |
| 2024 | 2 | 3.9% | 0 | — | 37 |
| 2025 | 2 | 13.3% | 1 | — | 13 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common Subaru Ascent engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 107 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Subaru Ascent years to avoid for the engine
2019 Subaru Ascent
48 engine complaints (10.8% of the year's 443). Most often described: smoke, burning smell or fire. Covered by engine recall 19V856000.
2020 Subaru Ascent
30 engine complaints (9.2% of the year's 325). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Subaru Ascent years to avoid.
Subaru Ascent engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any Subaru Ascent model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 19V856000 · 2019-12-02 · 2019 models
The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2019 Subaru Ascent have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 48 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Ascent, 10.8% of all 443 complaints for that year. The most common description is "smoke, burning smell or fire" (13 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 19V856000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2020 Subaru Ascent have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 30 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Ascent, 9.2% of all 325 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (3 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Subaru Ascent years have the most engine complaints?
2019 (48), 2020 (30) and 2021 (13), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Subaru Ascent engine problems?
In the 107 engine complaints, owners most often describe smoke, burning smell or fire (19.6%), misfire or check-engine light (12.1%) and stalling or shutting off while driving (11.2%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Subaru Ascent model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration